Chapter 42: [Ch. 42] Better Off Unseen (Past)
I rushed through the halls gasping in pain.
I had used up too much energy trying to heal Korph without even leaving a scar. The toll it was taking on my body was far greater than I had expected.
I opened the door to my room and quickly put up a barrier to make sure no one could enter. I collapsed to my knees and hands as the buzzing in my ears became higher pitched. I grabbed my ears and screamed through closed teeth. I could feel my nose begin to drip blood.
I removed my hands and saw them covered in blood. I dragged myself to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. Both my nose and ears were dripping with blood. I slowly raised my hand to wipe it off.
It is much worse than last time.
I sat over the sink and waited for my ears and nose to stop bleeding. I struggled to clean myself up and walked back into my room. I swayed and stumbled as I forced myself to my bed. As the room spun, I managed to drag myself into bed before falling unconscious.
I disappeared for several days.
....
When Korph and Raylon asked Amanda about it, she looked torn. "I knocked on her door but heard no response. I tried the door, but it won't even budge."
Raylon spoke, "Let's go check." He knocked on the door, "Moao. Are you alright?"
He waited for a response and heard nothing. Korph glanced at the door with a sheepish expression, "Maybe we offended her somehow."
"I'm sure she's just ignoring us." Raylon spoke as if trying to convince himself, "Right, Amanda?"
"Yes, it's possible." They all nodded their heads and stood in silence. Amanda's face turned pale, "Or she's dead in there."
Raylon turned to the door and began to bang on it, "Moao! Moao!"
"Move!" Korph shouted. He grabbed the door handle and began to turn it with all his might. He grew angry and began to shove his shoulder against the door to break it down.
"Wait!" Raylon said, grabbing him, "It's a barrier. And a strong one. You won't be able to break it."
Amanda fidgeted in concern, "What does that mean?"
"It's a good thing. It means that she did this herself and since it is still working she must be alive. Although..." Raylon trailed off making a twisted face.
Even Korph looked a bit concerned, "Although?"
"She might actually be angry at us for something." Raylon whispered, beginning to feel worried.
"Ahh!" Korph shouted and put his hands in his head, "I knew it!"
Amanda bit her lip feeling uneasy, "She will come out when she's ready. Let's just leave her alone until she's ready to."
They agreed with him and moved back downstairs for their lunch. While they ate, they sat in silence. Each one contemplated if they should apologize for something.
"Ahh!" Korph screamed before slamming his head into the table several times, "I can't take this!"
"Why are you being so dramatic?" Raylon asked, still dispirited.
"We made her upset! I know we have! We have to apologize somehow."
Raylon raised an eyebrow, "Why do you even care? I thought you were still trying to get your revenge."
"I do. I don't. URG! I don't know. It's complicated. She saved my life and my people." Korph raised his head from the table showing the red bump on his forehead. He cried out, "I am indebted to her for that, but she's also the daughter of that stupid Baron! How am I supposed to feel?!"
Amanda flinched, "Prince Korph… Please remember where you are… It is one thing to insult the Baron at the Academy, but if you do it here then..."
As if on cue, I threw open the door and strolled in. My complexion was paler than usual, but I hid my fatigue under my usual expressionless face. I looked up and noticed the three all staring at me with pale faces. I had forgotten to change my clothes from the night we traveled to release the slaves. My hair and clothes still had dry blood on it.
Amanda jumped up, "Lady Moao! Are you alright?"
"Mmn."
I sat down ignoring their stares. The servants laid out some food and I began to wolf it down like a starved animal. I hadn't eaten in several days, so I finished more food than usual.
Raylon cleared his throat, "Listen. I'm sorry if we did something to offend you."
I glanced up at him and shoved another spoonful in my mouth.
Korph nodded vigorously in agreement, "We didn't mean to."
I gulped down a mouthful of coffee. Just what are they talking about?
Raylon continued, "We are truly thankful that you went out of your way to free those slaves."
Korph pounded his chest loud enough for it to echo, "Yes! I'm forever indebted to you for saving my life and my people. If there's ever anything you need, I will be the first there to help!"
I hummed in disinterest, "Mmn."
Raylon added, "So, if there's anything we can do to make it up to you-"
I interrupted, "There is something I want."
"Anything!" Korph shouted excitedly.
I looked at Korph, "From you, I would like ten jugs of Dragonshine."
He nearly fainted, "Ten?!"
I turned to Raylon who made a worried face.
I pointed at him, "I want that."
He felt himself blush instantly. He began to stutter, "What? Want? Want? Want what?"
"That type of clothing."
"Oh." He said with a hint of disappointment, "You'd like a traditional robe from the Pheonix nation?"
"Mmn."
He cleared his throat, "I can do that. Light blue is really popular right now."
"White."
"What?"
"I'd like a white one."
He blinked and looked at Amanda for help. She shook her head, "My lady! How many times have I told you?! You can't wear white!"
Raylon agreed, "Only the dead wear white. It would be an ill omen to wear it."
I frowned, "I thought you said you would do anything."
He sighed in defeat, "Alright. I will bring you a white one. But, I'm surprised you didn't ask me for alcohol."
"You already owe me some."
"What?" Raylon paused and thought back. He recalled the night when he was treated like a pillow and had made that promise. His felt his cheeks flush red and quickly attempted to hide his embarrassed expression from the group. Feeling flustered he spoke hastily, "I-I only did that so you would go to sleep and stop causing trouble! It wasn't like I had ulterior motives!"
All three of us stopped and stared at him.
Korph whispered, "No one mentioned ulterior motives."
Amanda grimaced, "Yes. It's very suspicious of you to mention it."
Raylon stood up extremely flustered, "I'm not interested in her at all! Not at all!"
He looked at the doubtful faces and quickly ran out of the room still wearing his guilty expression. I sat drinking my coffee as if I hadn't heard what he said.
Amanda shook her head, "He acts like a child."
Korph enthusiastically laughed, "Whenever he gets embarrassed, he starts spouting whatever is on his mind even if it doesn't make sense."
I whispered to myself, "How adorable."
Amanda jumped up as if suddenly realizing something, "Does that mean he is actually interested in Lady Moao?!"
They both looked at me, but I had already checked out of the conversation. I was too focused on recirculating my magic in order to recover. I didn't really care about what had just happened.
The rest of our short break passed without incident. After Raylon had gotten over his embarrassment, we leisurely enjoyed our time drinking tea and taking strolls. Korph had gotten over his fear of the giant plants and became their friend. When the carriages arrived to take us back, I ensured that there was a second one filled with alcohol to last me until the next break.
Before we left, Korph pulled me to the side. He didn't speak and fidgeted as he tried to think of something to say. I thought it was strange seeing him uncharacteristically nervous. I spoke calmly, "What is it?"
He held out his hilt and bowed, "I want you to have this!"
"..." I glanced down at it, "Why?"
He looked at the ground in shame, "You saved my life. It's a token of my gratitude."
I shook my head, "You already promised me Dragonshine."
"It's different! Saving someone's life in the Dragon clan is very serious! It would be disrespectful to my clan if I didn't give you a personal token."
After it was forced into my hand, I accepted it while staring at his toothy grin. I had an urge to rub his head but refrained from doing so.
He added, "Oh! But this doesn't mean I've forgiven you! I will still have my revenge!"
I watched as he ran into the carriage joining Raylon and Amanda. I felt the corners of my lips twitch slightly and shook my head.
How interesting.
I climbed in after them. As we traveled, Korph began to heave and turn green. I watched him carefully and made a mental note to research a motion sickness pill. Once we arrived back at the school, Mona stood waiting and waving.
Raylon stepped out and held out his arms, "Sister!"
She ran and hugged him, "I've missed you, brother!"
He grinned, "How long have you been waiting here?"
"Almost all day." She pulled away and gave him a wide grin. She watched as Korph staggered with a pale expression. She giggled, "Good day Prince Korph! Did you have fun?"
He snickered, "It wasn't so bad."
Mona looked back at Raylon, "It must have been good then."
He shrugged, "It was relaxing…. For the most part."
Amanda stepped out following closely behind me. Mona blushed upon seeing her, "Welcome back Miss Amanda."
Amanda's ears turned red as she smiled bashfully, "It's nice to see you again Princess Mona."
Mona began to update them on what happened while they were gone, "Oh! I almost forgot! I heard from Kuro that someone released all of the slaves from Hong Guang's nation. All in one night!"
Raylon's smile twitched with guilt, "Oh."
She continued, "But that's not the best part. He said that they beheaded Hong Guang himself! Of course, they are keeping it secret and telling their people he is still alive. It must be true though. They rushed Lin and Qing home yesterday!"
I interrupted in a flat tone, "That was faster than expected."
Raylon turned to me, "What did you do?!"
I shrugged, "All I did was direct some money to an offshore account and set a building on fire."
Korph shouted in disbelief, "Did you overthrow their government?!"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nekoru
Nekoru Author wants to pet the dragon's head QAQ
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone